Tejashwi Yadav’s Missing Voter ID Claim Sparks Major Election Controversy

In a significant development regarding the Bihar Assembly Elections, Tejashwi Yadav, leader of the Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD), recently claimed that his name was missing from the draft electoral rolls. The allegation was made public during a press conference where Yadav claimed that his Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) number did not appear in the official records when checked online, sparking concerns about potential discrepancies in the voter list.

Yadav suggested that the omission was part of a larger conspiracy to undermine voter rights ahead of the upcoming elections, especially targeting opposition leaders. He demonstrated this by entering his EPIC number into the Election Commission’s online portal, which reportedly returned a “no records found” message.

However, the Election Commission swiftly responded to these claims, asserting that Tejashwi Yadav’s name is, in fact, present in the voter list. According to their findings, the draft electoral roll includes Yadav’s name under a different EPIC number, which has been linked to his previous election affidavits. The number that Yadav had referred to during his press conference, which he claimed was missing, was reportedly not an officially issued EPIC.

The Election Commission has asked Yadav to provide the original voter ID card that corresponds with the disputed EPIC number for a further investigation. This has raised questions about the validity of his claims and whether the EPIC number in question was even valid in the first place.

In addition, a formal complaint has been lodged at a local police station, alleging that Tejashwi Yadav may be in possession of two different voter IDs, a violation of electoral law. Authorities have opened an investigation into the matter, which could have serious legal implications.

Politically, this issue has escalated the ongoing controversy over the Special Intensive Revision (SIR) of electoral rolls in Bihar. The revision process has already attracted criticism from opposition parties, who argue that it has led to the removal of numerous names, especially among marginalized groups and migrant workers. They fear that these revisions could disproportionately impact voter turnout in rural areas.

Tejashwi Yadav and the RJD have vowed to present evidence of irregularities in the voter rolls, citing instances where multiple names from the same household were reportedly removed. They have announced their intention to take this matter to court, with Yadav asserting that his party has gathered proof of these alleged discrepancies.

The unfolding controversy is expected to have lasting political consequences, influencing both public perception and the trust that voters place in the electoral process as Bihar heads into its crucial Assembly elections. As the Election Commission continues its investigation, more developments are likely to emerge, which could further shape the campaign and the electoral discourse in the state.